Windshield heater for vehicles



July 26, 1938. J. P. DILLON WINDSHIELD HEATER FOR VEHICLES Filed Nov. 1l, 1 936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY y 1938. J. P. DILLON 2,125,154

WINDSHIELD HEATER FOR VEHICLES Filed Nov. 11, 1936 2 SheetS -Sheet 2 I INVENTOR I;% BY ar I T 51 F 5.51

.19. ATTORNEY Patented July 26, 1938 PATENT ,125,154 HEATER FOR VEHICLES OFFICE New YorlnN. Y., assignor of one-third to Hannah Fuller, New York, IN. Y. j

Application November 11, 1936, Serial No. 110,251

1 Claim.

This invention relates to new and useful im- Drovements in a windshield heater.

The invention has for an object the construction of a heater capable of heating a windshield for the purpose of keeping it clear of ice, snow and vapors.

The invention particularly proposes the con,- struction of a windshield heater which is characterized by the provision of a squeegee element of the like operating. against the outer surface of a windshield and. used in combination witha heated substance, preferably the exhaust from the vehicle, having said windshield, to keep the windshield clear. I

-A further object of this invention is to provide a motor in combination with the squeegee or other windshield wiper which is operated by the heated substance such as the exhaust gases, which heated substance is also simultaneously used to heat the windshield'tokeep it clear from ice and snow.

Another object of this invention is to provide pipes for the passage of the heated fluid. which pipes preferably extend around the windshield, either embedded into the frame which holds the windshield, or outside of the frame, or around the edges of the windshield itself.

- Still further the invention contemplates the associationof a heater with the circulating heated substance so that this heated substance may also operate the heater in addition to performing its other duties.

Another oneof the objects of this invention is to provide a handle upon or near the inside face of the windshield which may be manually operated for placing the windshield wiper into an operative position or into a retracted inoperative position out of prominent view across the windshield.

Still further the invention proposes an arrangement which will permit .the handle to be manually pulled inwards in addition to being rotated to press the windshield wiper harder against the windshield which clear. I

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

- In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile may be'necessary during very heavy storms to keep the windshield with a windshield provided with a windshield heater constructed according to this invention.

- Fig. *2 is a schematic outside elevational view of the windshield with the heater applied; this view is called schematic because certain of the parts have been projected out of their actual plane so that the complete circuit of the pipe system may be easily traced.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. 10

Fig; 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing some of the parts-in elevation; and furthermore showing the pipes located outside of the windshield frame.

Fig. 5' is a fragmentary transverse sectional 15 7 view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 'is an outside elevationalview of a windshield with two difi'erent types of windshield heaters constructed according to this invention, applied thereon. These different types are arranged .side bySide, each takingup one-half the width of the windshield. f

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of a windshield seen fromthe interior of a car and constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a 'sectional view of a windshield associated with a windshield heater according to another form of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of a heater for the automobile operated by the same substance which operates the windshield heater.

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view of the turbine used in the heater shown in Fig. 10, this view being as though taken on the line I|-ll 5 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of Fig. 10.

In Fig. 1 a standard automobile III has been illustrated which is provided with a windshield H to which a windshield heater according to this invention has been applied. This windshield heater includes an external rotative squeegee or similar element I! which is operated by a motor I3 mounted upon the extremity of an arm I 45 pivotally supported on the window frame I I of the windshield I I. The details of the parts are shown in Figs. 2 and 7.

The squeegee or similar element I2 is provided with a central hub portion l2 connected with 50 a turbine or motor I 5 mounted upon the end of the arm M. This arm I is provided with a pair of passages l6 and I1, one for the supply of the operating fluid of the motor and the other for the exhaust of this fluid. The .arm H extends 55 downwards and is rigidly connected with a valve element !8. This valve element is adapted to rotate, or in any other manner is pivoted in the windshield frame ll. Its inner end is provided with a handle is by which it may be turned. The passages l6 and I1, in one position of the valve align with passages l6 and I1 comprising pipes built into the frame il'. The outer end of the valve i8 is provided with a collar 20. An expansion spring acts between this collar and the side of the frame II for urging the valve i8 outwards.- In this position of the valve the squeegee element l2 presses against the window pane at a pre-determinedpressure. This pressure may be increased by manually drawing the handle I9 inwards so as to compress the spring 2!.

transparent housing tepermit viewing of the rotor IS. The sotation of this member may serve to indicate that the gases pass out of the devices.

An electric signal or high dim light I! may also be mounted on the casing of the turbine IE. This light is cennected to the battery ef the vehicle and may be connected into an electric circuit by a suitable switch at the driver's seat, so that it may be used as a turn indicator or to attract the attention of other drivers or pedestrians, either at the front windshield or at the rear window of the vehicle.

The pipe I6 is connected with a supply pipe l8"- which is intended to be connected to receive some of the exhaust gases from the automobile or to receive other heated and moving fluid or substances. From this pipe the substances pass through the pipe line I6 and then through the motor l5 to revolve the squeegee element l2. The substance then exhausts through the pipe I! and passes along the pipe ll'. A second squeegee device is then connected in series in the pipe II.

This second device is identical to the first device, and in Fig. 2 is shown in their lowered inoperative position. when in this position the valve 18 does not permit the passage of the gases. It is necessary that Tooth of the squeegee devices be in their vertical positions, then'the circuit is'complete. The gases may then pass through the second squeegee device aiong the pipe line H embedded within the frame II and extending around the windshield II and finally discharging into the pipe II which exhausts to atmosphere at a suitable location upon the automobile.

The squeegee element is radial arms each comprising a pair gaging elements I2 and I2" urged i to a neutral extended position by an internal spring I2 A rubber squeegee element i2 is attached to the outer frame |2 and normally does not contact with the surface of the windshield II. when the handle I9 is pulled inwards the springs are compressed and the rubber squeegee l2 engages the face of the windshield and supplements the cleansing action of the element H The purpose of having the metallic element normally engaging the windshield is that it then permits the conduction of heat from the motor I5. Thus the heated metal part will assist in clearing the windshield of ice and snow. The rubber part l2 is only used for better wiping the melted substances from the windshield if this is desired.

consists of a pair of of inter-en- InFig. 4 a modified construction of the invention has been disclosed which distinguishes from the prior form merely in the fact that the pipes The turbine or motor l5 may be enclosed in a 7 which convey the heated fluid or substance are arranged along the outer sides of the frame H. These pipes are generally indicated on the drawings by reference numerals I'I'. The difierence between this form and the prior form is merely one of degree. In the prior form the conduction of the parts in contact with the heated pipes are depended upon to carry the; heat to the windshield. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4 radiation through the air is mainly depended upon.

In Fig. 6 a modified form of the invention has been disclosed which distinguishes from the prior fluid which operates the motor 23.

Fig. 6 shows another portion of the windshield, indicated by reference numeral 2 I, provided with a duplicate cleaning device consisting of the squeegee or similar element 22, the motor 23, the arm and the pipes 26'. These pipes are arranged external of the frame 25' of the windshield.

A protective shield 30 is extended across the windshield 2| above the squeegee or similar element 22 and extends from end to end of the windshield and drains eff ice and snow. This element is curved transversely as well as laterally as may be clearly seen from an inspection of Figs. 6, 'l and 8.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detailed inside view of the windshield and mechanism shown in Fig. 6. For this reason the steering wheel 23 cfthe automobile is also visible.

In Figs. 8-12 inclusive a car heater has been shown associated with the windshield heater. This car heater comprises, essentially,- a turbine or other motor portion 35 operated by heated fluid or similar substances passing through the pipes 36. This heater may be shut oi! by a valve e6 arranged in the pipe system 26. Frem the turbine portion 35 a shaft 21 projects and carries a fan or blade 28 which is house-d within a. cas-. mg 39 covered by a screen 40. The details of the turbine form no part of the invention and therefore will not be given in this specification. The turbine, as shown, is of the fluid impinging. type. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the prior forms and similarparts may be recognized by the same reference numerals.

While I have illustrated and described the preunderstood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications commg within the scope of the'invention as defined in the appended claim.

1IiIaving thus described my invention, what I c am as new, and desire to secure States Letters Patent ls:- United In combination with a windshield consisting of a pane of glass supported in a frame, a pipe line for fluid substance extending longitudinally through said frame, a cylindrical valve element rotatively extending transversely through said frame and pipe line and having a passage which connects the pipe line sections in one turned poportion for supporting said cleaning element exsltion, a handle on the inner end of said valve eletending parallel to said pane, whereby said valve ment for turning same, and a hollow arm for supelement may be turned to move said arm to cut porting a window cleaning element which is operof! passage 01' said fluid substance and to simulable by said fluid substance, said arm being taneously assume a different position.

mounted on the outer end of said valve element and connecting with said passage and having a JAMES P. DILLON. 

